ZOOM pedal effect hacking resources

PEDAL EFFECT HACKING RESOURCES
last updated 2023/09/28

Hey y'all! This is a "compilation point" I'm putting up where I'll try to have any necessary resources for ZOOM multi-FX effect "hacking" (effect model interchange from/to other similar devices) available and as up to date as I can.

WHAT APP SHOULD I USE?

For MS-50G, MS-60B, MS-70CDR, B1on/Xon and G1on/Xon use Zoom Effect Manager. Real comprehensive, easy to use and "self contained" (no need to scan around for individual .ZDL effect files). I have customized my previous gen devices with Zoom Effect Manager, adding relevant bass stuff to guitar models and viceversa. Here's my .ZEM files (ZEM version 2 on). They're made so I have most of any given model's stock effects plus anything relevant (mostly drive/preamp/amp stuff) from the counterpart (guitar/bass) model. This way I can use any of my devices for either bass or guitar. You can import these in Zoom Effect Manager:
- my G1on/B1on (164 effects @ 100% memory usage)
- my G1Xon/B1Xon (163 effects @ 100% memory usage)
- my MS-50G (177 effects @ 100% memory usage)
- my MS-60B (182 effects @ 100% memory usage)
- my MS-70CDR (181 effects @ 100% memory usage)
For B3n, G3n, B1four/Xfour, G1four/Xfour, A1four/Xfour and G5n use Zoom ZT2 (requires Python3, plus construct, mido, python-rtmidi and wxPython extensions). It's a set of Python scripts, including a GUI (also available as a standalone Windows 64-bit .EXE build). Real easy to add/delete FX. You need to have the individual ZD2 files (I have a collection here). As of NOV-25-2022 the main script shows memory % usage for the connected device after any operation, so no need to use any external app (such as ToneLib Zoom) to check for it. So does the GUI, with a usage bar under the info panel (drag over to see % number).

ALL CREDIT to the genious and generous people behind these awesome projects
(please, consider donating whenever possible if any of these apps are useful to you)
(not affiliated in any way, just sharing some tools that have served me well)

Zoom Effect Manager (amazing app for everything MultiStomp or G1/B1on/Xon)

Zoom ZT2 (for all your B3n, G3n, B1four/Xfour, G1four/Xfour, A1four/Xfour and G5n effect hacking needs)

Zoom FX modding (a step beyond I haven't explored -yet-)

ZOOM Firmware Editor (the project that started it all, AFAIK)

Zoom pedal fun (another great compilation site @GitHub, more exhaustive and advanced than this one, yet probably messier to start from)

Some more resources...

Zoom Effect Manager 2.1.1 Windows/64bit (local download, current version, draws effect icons, supports .LST and .ZEM effect list files, can update firmware to "illegal" ones if hardware is the same -so for example, you can have an MS-60B with 6 FX slots using the MS-50G firmware, instead of the default firmware, stupidly limited to 4 slots-, I did and it works)

Zoom ZT2 GUI standalone Windows/64bit .EXE build (local download, built 2022-12-07, ≈26MB, sorry)

Individual ZDL files (just in case you want to "curate" your own firmware with the Firmware Editor)

Individual ZD2 files (newer generation format, necessary for installing FX via Zoom ZT2)

ZOOMIDO-UTILS I'm working on a set of Python based patch manipulation scripts using functions compiled from here. So far they can backup, restore, copy and swap patches on MS-50G/MS-60B/MS-70CDR/G1XON/B1XON/B3 (tested, will also test G3 soon), amongst other simple stuff like switching to a certain patch number, activate/deactivate the tuner or ask for currently selected patch number. I've been forever frustrated with the lack of a proper editor/librarian that will support devices with custom firmware. But thing is I don't even need an editor, I don't intend to edit patches on a PC app. I just needed the parts necessary to backup/restore/copy/move/swap my patches, in a real raw way, and most important, "blind" to the model vs. installed effects matter. It should work with G1ON/B1ON/G3/G3X. Still, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, my utility scripts are not capable of bricking your device, but they can sure mess with your patches if you screw up the params.

Some more ZOOM relatef stuff...

THANKS EVERYONE for your attention, hope this helps some of you folks out there

CONTACT: I'll be more than happy to answer your questions, suggestions and support inquiries, so please be my guest, drop me a line

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